Won buddhism teaches us how our mind works and how to control it.
Symbol of the Won Buddhism. Won, or 원, literally means "circle."
The religion was established less than a century ago by its creator, Sotaesan, in 1916. It has spread throughout the world in very short amount of time (in relation to other religions that were established centuries, or even milleniums ago) and has attracted many and turned them into its believers.
Temples
Although Won Buddhism began in Korea, there are as many (or even more) temples worldwide than in Korea.
Won Buddhism Headquarters in Cholla Puk-do, South Korea
Won Buddhism temple in Ulsan, Gyeongsang nam-do, South Korea
Won Buddhism Temple in Manhattan, New York
Meditation Centers
Won Buddhist meditation Center on rent, for group meditation purposes.
Won buddhist meditation centers are separate from the temples, won buddhists have “meditation centers”, where they meditate. These centers are in forms of a circle as circle, or “won” is a major aspect of their belief, as will later be explained further. Also, these centers are very modern, and are usually for groups to join in and practice meditation. In their meditation, they use Timeless Zen, a method of meditation depicted as taming an ox, established by the Zen Buddhists. They first "take hold of the mind", then "watches the mind", and " forgets the mind", ending with "utilizing the mind".
Taking hold of Mind
Watching the Mind
Forgetting the mind
Utilizing the mind
History
Creator of Won Buddhism, Sotaesan (1891-1943)
Sotaesan achieved enlightenment on April 28, 1916 in the early morning, and established Won Buddhism.
Sotaesan was never exposed to or had any sort of relationship with Buddhism when he created Won Buddhism. He was enlightened without knowing Buddha or Buddhism before, thus created his own buddhism, teaching the path he took in achieving enlightenment.
Leaders of Won Buddhism since Sotaesan: - Ven. Chungsan (정산 종법사*) - 1900-1962 - Ven. Daesan (대산 종법사) - 1914-1998 - Ven. Chawsan (좌산 종법사) - 1936 ~
*'종법사' (Jong-bup-sa) is what the leader of the Won Buddhism is called. It is the highest position in Won Buddhism.
Doctrine and Beliefs
One of the Main Philosophies: “Everything is our mind’s creation.”
The circle (that symbolizes Won Buddhism) is called "Il Won Sang" or "일원상." It represents one's true self. It also simbolizes the "truth" of the world that Sotaesan realized after his enlightenment.
"Il Won Sang" (일원상) on Won Buddhism monks. The man on the right is the current 종법사 of Won Buddhism, Chawsan (좌산) and the man on the left is previous 종법사 of Won Buddhism, Daesan (대산).
They believe and serve Buddhadarma, a being very similar to, or in a way, same as, Buddha in other Buddhism.
Principle book of Won Buddhism is called the Chongjun (정전, 正典)
Interesting Facts
- Lee Gun-Hee (이건희), the previous CEO (currently the honorary president) of Samsung (삼성), is a devoted believer of Won Buddhism.
- Some don't view Won Buddhism as a form of Buddhism because its establisher, Sotaesan, had absolutely no connection or exposure to Buddhism or any concept from it when he established the religion.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Won buddhism teaches us how our mind works and how to control it.
The religion was established less than a century ago by its creator, Sotaesan, in 1916.
It has spread throughout the world in very short amount of time (in relation to other religions that were established centuries, or even milleniums ago) and has attracted many and turned them into its believers.
Temples
Although Won Buddhism began in Korea, there are as many (or even more) temples worldwide than in Korea.
Meditation Centers
Won buddhist meditation centers are separate from the temples, won buddhists have “meditation centers”, where they meditate. These centers are in forms of a circle as circle, or “won” is a major aspect of their belief, as will later be explained further. Also, these centers are very modern, and are usually for groups to join in and practice meditation. In their meditation, they use Timeless Zen, a method of meditation depicted as taming an ox, established by the Zen Buddhists. They first "take hold of the mind", then "watches the mind", and " forgets the mind", ending with "utilizing the mind".
History
Sotaesan was never exposed to or had any sort of relationship with Buddhism when he created Won Buddhism. He was enlightened without knowing Buddha or Buddhism before, thus created his own buddhism, teaching the path he took in achieving enlightenment.
Leaders of Won Buddhism since Sotaesan:
- Ven. Chungsan (정산 종법사*) - 1900-1962
- Ven. Daesan (대산 종법사) - 1914-1998
- Ven. Chawsan (좌산 종법사) - 1936 ~
*'종법사' (Jong-bup-sa) is what the leader of the Won Buddhism is called. It is the highest position in Won Buddhism.
Doctrine and Beliefs
One of the Main Philosophies:
“Everything is our mind’s creation.”
The circle (that symbolizes Won Buddhism) is called "Il Won Sang" or "일원상." It represents one's true self.
It also simbolizes the "truth" of the world that Sotaesan realized after his enlightenment.
They believe and serve Buddhadarma, a being very similar to, or in a way, same as, Buddha in other Buddhism.
Principle book of Won Buddhism is called the Chongjun (정전, 正典)
Interesting Facts
- Lee Gun-Hee (이건희), the previous CEO (currently the honorary president) of Samsung (삼성), is a devoted believer of Won Buddhism.
- Some don't view Won Buddhism as a form of Buddhism because its establisher, Sotaesan, had absolutely no connection or exposure to Buddhism or any concept from it when he established the religion.
Sources
http://www.wonbuddhism.org/
http://phila.wonbuddhism.info/eng2/won/won1.html
http://www.won.or.kr/
http://100.naver.com/100.nhn?docid=120275
http://www.wondharmacenter.org/v3/facilities-and-rentals/facilities-and-rentals